35 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Apparently, Lisa Kleypas decided to rewrite the movie Somersby to her liking. Though she changed to setting, she barely changed the name of the heroine I found it too much like the movie (which I'm very familiar with) to enjoy the book. The echoes of the movie were everywhere, but unlike a novelization, everything was just slightly off enough to be distracting and feel wrong. She even lifts a line of dialog straight from the movie which I found extremely jarring. Thumbs down.

The love story in Stranger in My Arms is very complex. The hero is a man "returned from the dead" whom the heroine is forced to embrace as her hated and presumed dead husband.

The central romantic tension in the book is the very slow development of a romantic relationship between Hunter and Lara. The marriage between the couple was extremely unhappy and with Hunter's return as a "changed man" he has much to overcome in gaining the love and trust of his wife.

There is a continuing sense of uncertainty about whether he is whom he claims to be which establishes a mystery to be resolved through the book. I was anxious to finish the story, not so much to resolve the love story but to know whether he was or wasn't. I am not sure I was completely satisfied with how the story ended, but I think Kleypas did a fine job of writing a story that grabbed my interested immediately and kept hold through the end.

Compared to other books in the genre, 4 stars. For a Kleypas book, only 3.

One of my favorite authors. Husband returns after believed dead. While he closely resemble husband, he is attentive and loving as husband was cruel and cold. With every beat of her heart she aches to believe that this man is who he claims to be.

from the back: "Lady Hawksworth, your husband is not dead..."
With those words, Lara's life turned upside down. Hunter, Earl of Hawksworth, had been lost at sea. Or so she'd been told. Their unhappy marriage - with its cold caresses and passionless kisses - was over. But now a powerful, virile man stood before her, telling secrets only a husband could know, and vowing she would once again be his wife in every way.....

The female protagonist, Lara, was too perfect. She was one of the most gorgeous widowers in society and was very generous - helping others in the village and constantly assisting orphans. After the death of her husband, she was made to live in an old run-down cottage away from the main house by her dead husband's aunt and uncle. (Maybe I'm too cynical, but this part of her made me roll my eyes. The obvious "pity me because I don't deserve this" technique.) When she learns that her dead husband, Hunter, is actually alive, she is shocked and dismayed since their relationship was not an enjoyable one. However, she learns that Hunter has changed and she begins to fall in love with him and him with her. The aunt and uncle are kicked out of the house and they begin to resume their life as the Lord and Lady Hawksworth. Hunter is ever-loving and patient with Lara; completely the opposite of his former self. As their relationship develops into a strong one, Lara learns that the man that posed as Hunter isn't actually him, but a spy and chameleon of sorts. Feeling a bit righteous, betrayed, and disregarding their newfound love, Lara turns back to the aunt and uncle who previously mistreated her and informs them of the betrayal. (I really disagree with the way Lara handles this situation. She helps people in need and orphans. She should have more of a heart and at the very least, approach the man she fell in love with and speak to him before making this very rash decision, especially with all the patience and understanding he gave her.) To keep this short, she talks to Hunter's real mother and finds out that the imposter Hunter is actually a half-brother and the real Hunter is really dead. The mother is the one that tells her to disregard her self-righteousness and just love him. Lara finally realizes her mistake, apologizes to a very guilty imposter Hunter, and they live happily ever after.

The love story in Stranger in My Arms is very complex. The hero is a man "returned from the dead" whom the heroine is forced to embrace as her hated and presumed dead husband.

The central romantic tension in the book is the very slow development of a romantic relationship between Hunter and Lara. The marriage between the couple was extrtemely unhappy and with Hunter's return as a "changed man" he has much to overcome in gaining the love and trust of his wife.

There is a continuing sense of uncertainty about whether he is whom he claims to be which establishes a mystery to be resolved through the book. I was anxious to finish the story, not so much to resolve the love story but to know whether he was or wasn't. I am not sure I was completely satisfied with how the story ended, but I think Kleypas did a fine job of writing a story that grabbed my interested immediately and kept hold through the end.

Compared to other books in the genre, 4 stars. For a Kleypas book, only 3.

Lara's life turned upside down when Hunter, Earl of Hawksworth, had been lost at sea. Or so she'd been told. Their unhappy marriage - with its cold caresses and passionless kisses - was over. But now a powerful, virile man stood before her, telling secrets only a husband could know, and vowing she would once again be his wife in every way. While Lara couldn't deny that this man with the smoldering dark eyes resembled Hunter, he was attentive and loving in ways he never was before. Soon she desperately wanted to believe, with every beat of her heart, that this stranger was truly her husband. But had this rake reformed - or was Lara being seduced by a cunning stranger?